March 2016

Update…

Written on Thursday, March 31st @ 11:25am

We are heading home, it is cold, raining with a mix of snow.

We are very happy to say that we got some good news! However, we are not sure what Crystal’s next step will be till late next week.

We learned that one of the tumors seemed to have disappeared, another tumor has shrunk and one tumor has remained the same.

With that being said, Crystal may have the option for surgery. Then the next question is surgery now or after her wedding/honeymoon in July? If the surgery is on hold then he wants her to do two more months/rounds of chemo then she can take a break for two months for the wedding.

So as Cassidy says, “Mom it’s good news but…well I guess it’s the best news for us”.

We made the most with this trip. Cassidy came with us however Courtney had to stay back because of school. We went to Mall of America last night to break things up. We rode a ride that is new and actually opens April 1st called ” Flight”. It was incredible. We smiled and laughed. It took us around the world. I loved it. I actually teared up but don’t tell them that.

Thank you for your prayers, your positive vibes and still supporting us 3 years later. I must admit this journey can be so tiring and it makes you so emotional.

 

 

Positive thoughts please…

Written on Tuesday, March 29th @ 11:45pm

I am sitting in bed, snuggling with “Calvin”. He always seems to know when I need some love.

We leave bright and early tomorrow for Mayo. Crystal will be doing all of her scans, tests and lab work. Her last meal was at 6pm tonight and she doesn’t get to eat until the late afternoon. So that can make for long day as well. We will then learn the results on Thursday…

A lot of you have asked how Crystal is doing? Well, this last round of Chemo was a rough one but she did it. She got up everyday and did her best to make the most of it.

We scheduled a family trip to Memphis after that round of Chemo. It was wonderful to get away for a few days. It was nice to have something fun to do which helped take her mind off of how she had been feeling.

Today we had a meeting to get the wedding shower organized. It was cute to watch her say what she wants or what she was thinking. Emily was a big help and I am so happy that she will help Courtney and Cassidy put it on. Love ya Em.

But when the meeting was done…Crystal said she felt anxious. I totally knew what she meant. It feels like there is so much to do but your mind will not stop racing, stop worrying. It is exhausting. So we both went home to take a moment before we headed into dance.

We got to the studio, we put on our best smile and we were ready for the night. We offered a new dance class for Special Needs. It sure is uplifting teaching those classes. I smiled the whole night. Goodness what we take for granted and what joy strangers can bring to you.

So here I am again asking for prayers. I have a ritual, we leave for Mayo but before we leave…I make a post. I ask for prayers. And again, I thank you.

A few of you have asked what do you hope you get out of this appointment. I would love a miracle. I believe in miracles. But I would take no change, that the tumors have not grown, not spread and that she can take a 3 month break from Chemo to enjoy her summer. That is what I hope to get.

Next round of chemo has begun…

Written on Wednesday, March 4th @ 11:45am

I am sorry I took the month of February off from writing. I did want to write and inform you of how she is doing but I just really needed to forget about things for awhile. Thank you for keeping her in your prayers while I kept quiet.

The last time I updated her story, I was so happy to finally get that chemo. And then…

See Crystal, has a pill box to keep all of her pills in order. She felt that the bottle seemed light but thought, “No way, they wouldn’t mess up my order, the pills look right”. So as she fills her pill box, she realizes they shorted her 14 pills for this round. Thank goodness she filled her pill box because she could take care of the problem before it became a problem in the middle of her treatment.

As she called the doctor then CVS, it took CVS a day to realize they made a mistake. Funny, they made a mistake, really? Cause I know we didn’t.

Then, two weeks later, I received a “2nd notice letter” from CVS that if Crystal didn’t sign the form for her insurance, she would have trouble getting her next round of Chemo. Well, it was my “first letter” that I received and that threat didn’t settle with me. Needless to say we got this round of Chemo early.

I hope your Valentine’s Day was full of love. Crystal was on Chemo and she was on the last part of her treatment which can be difficult but Gage makes her heart skip a beat so she had a wonderful weekend.

I turned 46 in February and Crystal was not on Chemo that day! YaY me! So we planned a casual day. A walk on the trail to Parlor City for a beer…Crystal surprised me with some of my favorite people there for lunch and gifts. Courtney & Cassidy you are such good liars, you made me smile. I thanked God throughout the day for surrounding me with people that made me feel special.

So, Crystal has begun this round of treatment. Her blood work was good but it is starting to get to her. The sickness, tiredness, forgetfulness, energy, her hands & feet. We talked and realized she did rounds in June, July, then surgery, then surgery complications, then chemo October, November, December, January, February, March and we sure are hoping April then a 3 month break…please, please!

I can’t believe Spring Break is almost here. And this year on Sunday, March 27th (which is Crystal’s 2nd Birthday) it happens to be Easter…What a special day that will be.

We sure do welcome prayers for Wednesday, March 30th & Thursday, March 31st. That is Crystal’s next Mayo appointment. I must admit, I worry about it. When I finally fall asleep at night, I wake up and I subconsciously am already worrying about her June appointment before the big wedding in July. It makes me exhausted to think about it all. The what ifs, the how can this be happening, the I never dreamed this would be my life….then I tell myself…let it go. It sounds easy but it sure is hard to do.

Until next time….